Tag Archives: 2012 NFL Draft
What a great 2012 NFL draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers made some great picks in the NFL draft this year. They drafted to bolster a battered offensive line and also to have some back up on an aging defense. They made picks for the positions where they had the most need. From a need standpoint, the Steelers had a successful draft in 2012. They also stayed with their model of drafting only the players that they believe to fit into the model of how the Steelers conduct their day-to-day operations as a business and as a team.
2012 NFL Draft: Grading the first round
1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – QB, Stanford
Buffalo is still trying to replace Jim Kelly, Miami is still trying to replace Dan Marino, Cleveland has needed a Quarterback forever, yet somehow the Colts get fortunate enough to go from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck without the down time that teams usually go through after losing a Hall of Fame Quarterback. Grade: A+
2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III – QB, Baylor
The Redskins traded their second-round pick and three first-round picks (2012, 2013 and 2014) to move up four spots. Many may think that maybe too much but it’s not when your in a quarterback driven league. The Redskins will be a playoff contender thanks to this move and will surprise people this season because of it, the Quarterback carousel in Washington is over and now the challenge becomes, can Griffin survive the NFC East? Grade: A+
Miami Dolphins select Ryan Tannehill, the punter
Everyone knew it was coming as the Miami Dolphins selected Ryan Tennehill with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. The next question becomes now what because Tannehill isn’t ready to start in the NFL.
Maybe while Tannehill sits behind current starter Matt Moore he can handling the punting duties since he has done that before.
In fact, Tannehill was a punter, wide receiver and also a quarterback. Just the type of guy you want to make your franchise player.
Was it worth it for the Dolphins to reach this far when Matt Moore will still be the starter in Week 1?
Cowboys move up, shock fans by selecting Morris Claiborne
The Dallas Cowboys knew exactly what they needed in the 2012 NFL Draft. An offense staring Tony Romo and Dez Bryant is great for putting up points but Rob Ryan’s defense was shredded last year, especially by the New York Giants.
The Cowboys are never afraid to take chances in the draft and by moving up to the sixth pick they made sure the player they were selecting was one of the best.
Morris Claiborne from LSU stated he wants to follow in the footsteps of fellow LSU CB Patrick Peterson and if he does there is no doubt he will be off to a stellar NFL career.
Claiborne is ranked as the top cornerback in the 2012 NFL draft .
Justin Blackmon lands in Jacksonville, oh no!
Of all the places a star receiver could have landed the Jacksonville Jaguars were not the ideal location. A top defensive unit their offense is less than desired.
Moving up to the fifth overall pick the Jacksonville Jaguars selected the top receiver in the 2012 NFL draft, Justin Blackmon.
Now the question becomes is Blaine Gabbert going to be throwing the ball to him?
Members of the media and draft analysts may want to say Justin Blackmon isn’t the total package, but like many other receivers he will have a chip on his shoulder when he signs with the Jaguars.
Is Trent Richardson enough to turn around the Browns?
The Cleveland Browns might not have a quarterback but they now have a running back that some have said is the best prospect since Adrian Peterson.
The Browns only averaged 13.6 points a game under Colt McCoy and lost Peyton Hillis to Kansas City during free agency.
Team president Mike Holmgren knows the Browns still have work to do but by moving up and making sure they drafted Trent Richardson they are at least going in the right direction for a change.
2012 NFL draft: Indianapolis Colts full of Luck
Joe Montana, John Elway, Jim Kelly, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady. Usually an NFL team considers themselves lucky to land a Hall of Fame quarterback, but it rarely happens where the luck continues and you have the ability to draft one just after releasing another. For the Indianapolis Colts that is reality as they make Andrew Luck the number one overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.
The opportunity to draft the best player in the draft presented the Indianapolis Colts when Peyton Manning would sit out the 2011-2012 season with a neck injury and they wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.
After the rumors, speculation and release of Manning, Andrew Luck is now the face of the Colts. While it may take some time to adjust for Colts fans it’s only a matter of time until they are once again relevant for another 10 years.
2012 NFL draft: Can Robert Griffin revive Santana Moss?
The Washington Redskins have found their quarterback and it’s a huge upgrade from Rex Grossman and John Beck.
The Redskins were the only team in the NFC East to not have a solid starting quarterback, but by selecting Robert Griffin III from Baylor they found their franchise player.
As the comparisons between Cam Newton and RG3 begin the real question is who will he count on to catch the ball.
The Redskins brought in Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan but is it possible that RG3 could revive Santana Moss the same way Cam Newton revived Steve Smith?
2012 NFL Draft: Andrew Luck Highlight Video
With the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford.
At 6-4, 235 lbs Luck has the ideal size to succeed in the NFL. His big frame will allow him to take some punishment while his NFL ready arm appears destined to return Indianapolis to glory.
To the moon or bust: Andrew Luck vs Robert Griffin III
As Andrew Luck is chosen by the Indianapolis Colts and Robert Griffin is selected by the Washington Redskins history tells us one of these quarterbacks will either pan out or be a bust. Of course teams that are drafting would hope that this would not happen, but lets take a look down memory lane. Here’s a look at the past ten years of multiple quarterbacks taken in the top five of the draft.
2002 David Carr(1) and Joey Harrington (3) both quarterbacks were looked at as busts. You could give Harrington a pass and say that he did play for a while but both quarterbacks being drafted that high were looked at being the franchise guy but it never happened.
RGIII versus Luck will go down in 2012
Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck are the new starting quarterbacks of the Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts. Don’t look now but they will be playing each other this season. Both ownerships and front offices of both teams have said that they will be intent with either one. The good thing about that ever so important decision of Jim Irsay and Dan Snyder is that either way, RGIII versus Luck will happen in 2012.
Does recent NFL draft history favor Ryan Tannehill?
It’s a foregone conclusion that the first two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft will be quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III. With such an emphasis being placed on the passing game, when it comes to franchise quarterbacks the NFL has become a league of haves and have not’s. Either you have a franchise quarterback and therefore a chance to win the Super Bowl, or you don’t. Ryan Tannehill is the third best choice at quarterback in this upcoming draft and because everyone wants a franchise QB, his stock is skyrocketing as draft day approaches. Some are saying he’s overhyped while others think he’s money. Let’s take a look at some recent NFL drafts that had three quarterbacks taken in the first round and see how No. 3’s have fared.
